The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa has come out in support of the Tauranga City Council's desire to build a new performance venue as part of its Civic Heart project.

But the Government agency, more commonly known as Creative NZ, is also recommending the council undertakes further evaluation in order to ensure that the new theatre is fit-for-purpose.

The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa/Creative NZ supports Tauranga City Council's intention to build a new 1000+ seat performance venue. Image: TCC

As part of the Civic heart project, council has proposed spending $100,000 in 2017/18 on a feasibility study for a new 1000-1200-seat performance venue on Willow Street.

In a consultation document published to its website, council states the aim of creating a venue of this size is to attract larger touring shows, as well as utilising it as conference and convention space. The new venue would also complement Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, not replace it.

'The 577-seat theatre is small in size for our city's population and our projected growth. The existing space lacks capacity and flexibility. As a consequence, residents are missing out on national and international events and shows,” reads the consultation document.

'A new performance venue would attract visitors and support economic development in the city, and provide our city with a facility of a size that reflects Tauranga – we currently have fewer theatre seats per capita than smaller cities.”

Submitting on Tauranga City Council's Proposed Amendment to the Long Term Plan 2015-2025 Consultation Document: Creating Tauranga's Civic Heart, Creative NZ has supported council's view that Baycourt was too small given Tauranga's population and projected growth.

'Conducting a feasibility study into a new performance venue, with a 1000+ seat capacity, will further support the need for a larger venue and will be in line with what other regional centres with non-historic theatres currently support,” their submission reads.

While there appeared to be strong support for a quick start to the project, including bypassing a feasibility study, Creative NZ is recommending council takes time to evaluate what was needed while being prepared to act promptly once the results were known.

'This project shouldn't be rushed, but it should be undertaken at an assertive pace,” says the submission.

To read the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa / Creative NZ's submission on Tauranga City Council's Proposed Amendment to the Long Term Plan 2015-2025 click here.